The Pittsburgh Silent Film Festival returns for its fourth year, beginning Sunday and running for a full week. Organizers will showcase eleven restored silent movies at venues throughout the Pittsburgh region, each paired with live musical accompaniment from local artists.

Festival leadership and purpose

“I’m really pleased with the lineup,” said Chad Hunter, a Mt. Lebanon resident who founded the festival and leads the Pittsburgh Silent Film Society. Hunter, along with two fellow film‑preservation advocates, launched Silent Movie Day in 2021 to honor the artistry and historical importance of silent cinema. The celebration takes place each year on September 29.

Venues and new locations

Long‑standing sites such as the Harris Theatre in downtown Pittsburgh and the Lindsay Theater in Sewickley will host screenings again. New venues added for this year include Old St. Luke’s Church in Carnegie and the Third Presbyterian Church in Shadyside.

Featured films and musical partners

Highlights include Charlie Chaplin’s hour‑long 1921 comedy The Kid, presented at the Kamin Science Center’s Rangos Giant Cinema on Wednesday at 7 p.m., with a discussion led by Chaplin expert Dan Kamin, also a Mt. Lebanon resident.

Other scheduled screenings are:

• The Black Pirate – Douglas Fairbanks swashbuckler, shown at the Lindsay Theater in Sewickley on Sunday at 2 p.m., using a restored two‑color Technicolor print provided by the Museum of Modern Art, accompanied by the Pittsburgh‑based Thoth Trio.
• Sparrows – starring Mary Pickford, presented at Third Presbyterian Church in Shadyside on Sunday at 7 p.m., with live organ accompaniment by the Pittsburgh Film Orchestra.
• The Student of Prague – screened at the Parkway Theater in McKees Rocks on Monday at 7 p.m., preceded by a dinner prepared by Chef Mustapha. Pianist Tyler Stoner will provide musical support.
• Faces of Children – French drama shown at Old St. Luke’s Church in Carnegie on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., accompanied by the Pittsburgh Film Orchestra.
• Tramp, Tramp, Tramp – featuring Harry Langdon, presented at the Pump House at the Waterfront in Munhall on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m., with piano accompaniment by Tom Roberts.
• The Adventures of Prince Achmed – shown at the Glitterbox Theater in Homestead on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m., with music by the band Anticipation Porn.
• Flesh and the Devil – starring Greta Garbo and John Gilbert, screened at the Mt. Lebanon Library on Oct. 3 at 2 p.m., accompanied by local musician Andrew Lasswell.
• Faust – F.W. Murnau’s German classic, presented at the Rowhouse Hollywood Theater in Dormont on Oct. 3 at 8:30 p.m., with electronic music by Stephen Haluska.
• So This Is Paris – comedy shown at Frick Pittsburgh on Oct. 4 at 2 p.m., with piano accompaniment by Tom Roberts.
• Beau Geste – a new 4K restoration closing the festival at the Harris Theatre on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m., accompanied by the Pittsburgh Film Orchestra.

Why silent films still matter

Hunter believes silent movies “speak to people in a different way than film does now.” The live musical scores, he says, heighten the emotional connection, creating “that kinship in the dark” between audience and screen.

More information

For a complete schedule and ticket details, visit the festival’s website at pittsburghsilentfilmsociety.org.

Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.